Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has unveiled plans that would require all new development to meet local standards of design.
The government is proposing new rules calling for councils to create local design codes, based on a national guidance.
Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework will see poor quality rejected, with only good quality design approved.
The government has published a National Model Design Design Code, providing a checklist of design principles, such as street character, building type and well as addressing wellbeing and environmental impact, with a requirement that all new streets be lined with trees.
Jenrick has promised a £4m Community Housing Fund for Community Land Trusts to bring forward local housing projects, with £1.5m backing for listing local heritage assets.
He said: “Instead of developers forcing plans on locals, they will need to adapt to proposals from local people, ensuring that current and new residents alike will benefit from beautiful homes in well-designed neighbourhoods.”
The government has launched an eight week consultation over the proposals.
The move follows the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission recommendations from Nicholas Boys Smith, who was last year appointed chair of the Design Body Steering Group.
Boys Smith will chair a transition board for an interim Office for Place department to support communities to create standards for all buildings in their area.
The group will pilot the national design code working with 20 communities. It is seeking the first ten councils for the pilot. They will receive a share of an initial £500,000.
Boys Smith said: “There is no fundamental reason that prevents the creation of streets and squares, homes as places where we can lead happy, healthy, and connected lives.
“Our ultimate purpose will be to make it easier for neighbourhood communities to ask for what they find beautiful and to refuse what they find ugly.”
Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, added: “It has never been more important, in the wake of the pandemic, that communities have a say on how their local area looks.
“Planners and the planning system must play an active role in driving up design quality in all areas of England and we look forward to making an ongoing contribution to this work in advance of the forthcoming Planning Bill.”
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